Means for embalming the dead



Patented May 27, 1924.

UNITED STATES i meant PATENT OFFICE.

OTIS H. OAKLEY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO INA M. BOSS AND ONE-FOURTH TO ARTHUR B. ROSS, BOTH OF HENNEPIN COUNTY,

MINNESOTA.

MEANS FOR EMBALMING THE DEAD.

N0 Drawing.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Orrs H. OAKLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Means for Embalming the Dead, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide improved means for embalming the dead.

Methods of embalming now in common use make it necessary to inject the fluid employed either into the arterial system or into the cavities of the body or both, and this, of course, requires a mutilation of the body.

By the use of my improved fluid and method I have found that in most instances satisfactory results may be obtained without any cutting or puncturing of the corpse whatever, and that, in exceptional cases where an injection may be desirable, the amount of mutilation and volume of the injection is greatly decreased.

The solution which I use is composed of boric acid, nitrate of soda, chlorate of potassium, chloral hydrate and formaldehyde combined in the presence of alcohol, and this fluid possesses the remarkable quality. of being quickly absorbed by the flesh and pene trating to the bone. The formaldehyde is used in my solution because it is required by the laws of a number of States, but it is not essential to the efliciency of my process.

I have found that the best results are secured by combining these ingredients in substantially the following proportions: boric acid 12 ounces, nitrate of soda 12 ounces, chlorate of potassium 12 ounces, chloral hydrate Bounces, formaldehyde 5 ounces and alcohol 32 ounces. After allowing this solution to stand for about an hour I dilute it with l gallons of water after which the Application filed June 15, 1922. Serial No. 568,621.

fluid is ready foruse. will neither freeze nor deteriorate. In all cases where the corpse is in normal condition eflicient embalming is secured by merely applying the liquid to the outer surfaces of the body with a brush or sponge. I prefer the use of a brush as the application can be made more evenly therewith. In cases of purging thereof a solution compounded of boric acid, nitrate of soda, chlorate of potassium and chloral hydrate in the presence of alcohol.

2. The method of embalming which consists of combining boric acid, nitrate of soda, chlorate of potassium and chloral hydrate in the presence of alcohol and permitting the same to stand, then diluting the solution with water and applying the same to the outer surfaces of the body to be treated.

3. An embalming fluid consisting of a dilute solution compounded of the following named ingredients in approximately the proportion named, i. e. boric acid, 12 ounces; nitrate of soda, 12 ounces; chlorate of potassium, 12 ounces; alcohol, 32 ounces; chloral hydrate, 8 ounces.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.v

OTIb H. OAKLEY.

In this condition it 

